Telescoping motorscooter



Dec. 24, 1968 E. D. SMITH 3,417,834

TELESCOPING MOTORSCOOTER Filed Sept. 6. 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ERNEST D. SMITH WQM ATTORNEY Dec. 24, 1968 E. D. SMITH TELESCCPING MOTORSCOOTER 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 1966 INVENTOR ERNEST 0. SMITH W'QM ATTORNEY Dec. 24, 1968 [3. SMITH 3,417,834

TELESCOPING MOTORSCOOTER l mvemon 1 ERNEST 0. SMITH ATTORNEY Dec. 24, 1968 E, D. s T

TELESCOPING MOTORSCOOTER Filed Sept. 6, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ERNEST D. SMITH ATTORNEY Dec. 24, 1968 E. D. SMiTH 3,417,834

TELESCOPING MQTORSCOOTER Filed Sept. 6. 1966 s Sheets-Sheet 5 -J ATTORNEY Dec. 24, 1968 E. D. SMITH 3,417,834

TELESCOPING MOTORSCOOTER Filed Sept. 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 l! mvsmon M 'ERNERT 0. SMITH ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,417,834 TELESCOPING MOTORSCOOTER Ernest D. Smith, 448 Blue Ridge Drive, Martinez, Calif. 94553 Filed Sept. 6, 1966, Ser. No. 577,486 Claims. (Cl. 180-33) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A motorscooter having a telescoping frame, rotatable handle bars, and a foldable seat whereby the motorscooter can be collapsed to a compact package.

This invention relates to a collapsible motorscooter and more particularly to a motorscooter which folds in height and telescopes in length.

There have been a number of collapsible motorscooters produced for the purpose of providing compactible lightweight motorized transportation. These motorscooters can generally be folded into a small package for carrying or transportation in another vehicle. In general, even though these motorscooters are collapsed into a small package, they are usually too heavy for easy handling and rarely can be carried in one hand. Further, these motorscooters require either a number of steps or operations to effect the collapsing thereof, and/ or the weight of the motorscooter, or some portion thereof, must be lifted in order to effect the collapsing. The necessary operations usually consist of removing nuts and bolts and folding the scooter or, in more advanced designs, removing slip pins and collapsing the device against spring pressure. Even in motorscooters of this design, it is still often necessary to lift the device in the center to double it up or to lift one wheel and rotate it in a direction to fold it along side another member, or possibly it is even necessary that the motorscooter must be turned upside down or stood on end to effect the collapsing. All of these steps can be arduous and dirty to perform.

The present invention provides a motorscooter which can be collapsed in as short a period as five seconds fromthe operating condition to a fully collapsed condition. The collapsing does not require the removal or repositioning of any bolts, nuts, or slip pins, and none of the weight of the mechanism need be lifted off the ground or in any way manipulated. The frame of the motorscooter telescopes in a horizontal direction, and, during the telescoping action, the weight of the motorscooter is fully borne and carried on the motorscooter wheels. The motorscooter further reduces in height, and has a total weight under forty pounds. When collapsed, the motorscooter can be carried in one hand without undue effort due to the light weight and the narrow lateral dimensions which permit it to be carried comfortably close to the side of the body without unbalance.

Briefly, the invention is a collapsible moorscooter comprising a horizontally telescoping frame having forward and rear members; a front wheel and foldable handle bars are steerably secured to the forward member; and a motor, a drive wheel, a power transmission means, and a foldable seat are secured to the rear member.

The concept of the invention also includes a method of collapsing a motorscooter comprising: Folding the handlebars to a horizontal position alongside the frame; telescoping the frame in a horizontal direction to retract the front wheel to a position relatively adjacent the rear wheel; and folding the seat assembly to both sides of the telescoping frame outside the handlebar assembly and adjacent the motor and rear wheel.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a collapsible motorscooter which can be collapsed 3,417,834 Patented Dec. 24, 1968 from operating condition to a transportable condition in less than five seconds.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a collapsible motorscooter which can be collapsed to a transportable condition without removing or rearranging any bolts or pins.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a collapsible motorscooter which requires a minimum of muscular effort on the part of the operator to collapse the motorscooter to a transportable condition or to erect it from a transportable condition to an operating condition and does not require the lifting of any portion of the device off the ground, or any lifting manipulation of the weight of the motorscooter, during either operation.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a motorscooter which weighs less than forty pounds and will collapse to a size and configuration which can be easily carried in one hand.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a collapsible motorscooter which can be quickly enclosed in a carrying case.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new method for collapsing a motorscooter.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the collapsible motorscooter is considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the motorscooter arranged in operating condition;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation of the motorscooter arranged in operating condition taken along line Z--2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the motorscooter with the handle bars collapsed to a horizontal position;

FlGURE 4 is a side elevation of a motorscooter with the frame members telescoped to a collapsed condition;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation of the motorscooter in a fully collapsed condition;

FIGURE 6 is a front elevation of the motorscooter in a fully collapsed condition;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the motorscooter in a collapsed condition;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view of the frame members of the motorscooter taken along lines 88 of FIGURE 1 showing the sliding engagement bet-ween the members;

FIGURE 9 is a side elevation detail of the automatic frame extension locking means;

FIGURE 10 is a plan view sectional detail of the anotorscooter motor, transmission means and brake assembly taken along the line 1010 of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 11 is a side elevation of a fuel tank for use with the present invention;

FIGURE 12 is a side elevation of a power pack for use with the present invention;

FIGURE 13 is a rear elevation in partial section of seat latching mechanism;

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of a carrying case for the present invention.

Reference is made to the drawings for a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The collapsible motorscooter, illustrated in operating condition in FIGURE 1, has a horizontally telescoping frame including a forward member 21 which is slidably engaged for horizontal reciprocation with a rear member '23.

The rear member is formed of two C-section channel members 25, 27 (FIGURE 8) which are disposed in opposing spaced relation. This is effected by bolts 29 which pass through the two channel members and by tubular spacers 31 disposed between the channel members on the bolts. The rear frame member 23 includes a channel or slot 33 along the lower surface 35 thereof which is formed by or between the lower opposing projecting flanges 37, 39 of the C-section channel members. These flanges extend inwardly from both the upper 41 and lower 35 edges of the rear frame member and extend the length thereof.

The forward frame member 21 is approximately the length of the rear member and includes a formed surface 43 located at the rear end thereof which has a pair of horizontally disposed parallel slots 45 (FIGURE 8) on opposite sides of the formed surface. These slots engage with the lower flanges 37, 39 of the rear frame member 23 and provide the slidable interconnection between the forward and rearward frame members. This formed surface can be made as a casting, but in the preferred embodiment it is made by securing two plates 47, 49 to the upper edge of the rear end of the forward frame member in horizontally disposed parallel spaced relationship. These plates engage the opposite sides of the flanges 37, 39 of the channel members 25, 27 in the slot or space located between them.

The forward and rear frame members are locked in extended relation by an automatic extension locking means (FIGURE 9) which actuates when the frame members are positioned in extended relation. In the preferred embodiment a simple latch 51 is pivoted at the forward end of the rear frame member 23 and is disposed in a generally horizontal position with a cammed surface 53 facing rearward and a hook 55 formed immediately forward of the cammed surface. A pin 57 is secured crosswise to the bottom surface of the lower parallel plate 49, secured to the forward frame member 21, which engages the fianges of the rear frame member. As the two frame members are extended to operating condition (FIGURE 1), the pin 57 strikes the cammed surface 53 of the latch 51 driving it upward until the hook engages the pin.

A front wheel supporting frame 59 is at the front end of the forward frame member 21 for rotation on a substantially vertical but rearwardly canted axis. The rearward tilt to the axis of the front wheel supporting frame provides the caster to the steering mechanism. The supporting frame includes a pair of interconnected frames 63, with the front wheel 67 journalled on axle shaft 61 disposed therebetween at the lower ends 69 thereof. The frames 63, 65 are assembled by means of bolts and spacers 73 extending therebetween.

A pair of handlebars 75 are journalled 77 near their lowers ends 79 to the upper front ends of the front wheels supporting frames 63, 65. The handlebars are formed having a pair of vertical extensions 81 and a pair of handgrips 83 extending outwardly from the upper ends of the vertical extensions. The handlebars are arranged to fold into a horizontal position extending substantially rearward from the front wheel with the extensions folded to each side of the telescoping frame (FIG- URE 3).

A spring loaded handlebar latching means 85 (FIG- URE 3) is formed integral to the front Wheel supporting frame 59. When the handlebars 75 are rotated upwards, the latching means hooks over a lower spacer bar 87 extending between the lower ends of the handlebar vertical extensions 81 and supports the handlebars in an upright position (FIGURE 2). When the hook 85 is lifted, the vertical extensions of the handlebars can be rotated to a horizontal position (and can be spring loaded to do so automatically) A handlebar guide 89 is positioned on the upper surface of the forward frame member and engages a hole 91 in the upper spacer crossbar 93 between the handlebars when the handlebars are rotated to the horizontal position. This guide 89 locks the front wheel 67 into alignment with the rear wheel 95 and positions the handlebars to accurately guide alongside the frame of the motorscooter when the frame is telescoped.

A rearview mirror 97 and horn 99 can be secured to opposite ends of the crossbar 93 to comply with vehicle code regulations. The view in the mirror passes under the riders leg and is perfectly operable. These accessories do not interfere with the collapsing of the scooter.

A pair of folding footrests 101, 103 are secured to the lower ends 79 of the handlebars 75 and are arranged to fold in a direction upward alongside and parallel the handlebars. Upward describes the direction of footrest rotation which occurs when the handlebars are secured in an upright position. However, when the handlebars are disposed in a horizontal position, the footrests fold in a horizontal plane alongside the handlebars.

A rear wheel supporting frame 105 is secured to the rear frame member 23. In the preferred embodiment, it is formed from a pair of inverted A-frame members 107 and has a rear drive wheel 95 journalled at 109 between the apexes 111 thereof. The A-frame members can be made of identical interchangeable castings.

A motor 115 and power transmission means 117 are supported by a bracket 119 which extends forward from the A-frame members 107 below the rear member.

The power transmission means 117 (FIGURE 10) includes a centrifugal clutch or a fluid transmission, or any other type of automatic transmission, engaged with the drive shaft of the motor and has a power output shaft 121 which can be journalled at its outer end in the bracket 119 if necessary. A chain sprocket 123 is secured to the power output shaft 121 and engages a drive chain 125 which is interconnected with the rear wheel 95 by a chain sprocket 127 secured to the hub 129 of the rear wheel. The mechanical connection 'between the chain sprocket 123 and the ouptut shaft 121 and the rear wheel 111 is positive engagement.

Brake means and motor throttle control means are operable from the handlebar handgrips. The brake means includes a V-belt pulley 131 secured to the output shaft 121 adjacent the chain sprocket 123 and a section of V- belt 133 which encircles a portion of the circumference of the V-belt pulley 131 on the output shaft. One end of the V-belt is anchored to the frame of the motorscooter; more particularly, to the motor and power transmission means supporting bracket 119. The other end of the V- belt section is activated by a pull cable 135 controlled from one of the handlebar handgrips 83. The V-belt is wound around the V-belt pulley, from the anchored end, in the rim or slot 137 of the pulley 131 in the direction of rotation. This provides, to a certain degree, a selfenergizing brake. The friction of the pulley pulling on the belt makes the belt tend to Wedge itself into the V-groove between the point where the V-belt is anchored and the points on the pulley where the friction is acting.

The motor throttle control means, which is operable from the handlebar handgrips, is simply a spring loaded pull cable 139 interconnected with the throttle of the motor.

A gas tank 141 is secured to the inverted A-frame rear wheel supporting structure 107. The gas tank can be a simple can or it could be moulded of Fiberglas (FIG- URE 11) to fit between the legs 143, 145 of the inverted A-frame rear Wheel supporting frames. A combination stop light-tail light 147 could be moulded into the side of the gas tank and a clear strip 149 of Fiberglas formed as part of the outer panel, extended from top to bottom, as a gas gauge.

A matching battery pack 151 (FIGURE 12) can be made to fit between the legs of the opposite A-frame 109 for powering accessories such as a headlight which could be mounted on a front fender or on one of the crossbars between the handlebar vertical extensions 81.

A folding seat 153 is secured to the frame rear member 23 and includes a cushion 155 mounted on a platform 157. Two pair of seat braces 159, 161 are journallcd at 163 from opposite sides 165, 167 of the rear frame member and pivotably support as at 169, the seat cushion platform 157 at the end of one pair 159 of the seat braces. The platform engages with the other pair of seat braces 161 and includes a latch 171 for engaging with a cross member 173 extending between the other pair. The pair of seat braces 159 to which the platform is hinged has a cross member 175 disposed below the platform pivots 169 at a distance equal to the spacing between the two pair of seat braces 159, 161 when they are disposed in an upright position. This permits the seat platform to latch with the cross member 175 on the seat brace 159 to which the platform is pivoted when the brace is rotated into the collapsed position thereby holding the cushion 155 in a vertical orientation.

When the independent seat brace 161 is disengaged from the cushion platform, the two pair of seat braces rotate outwardly on their journals 163 with the rear frame member and fold to a depending attitude vertically downward from the rear frame member 23 and outside of the handlebars 75 which are disposed alongside the rear frame member. The seat braces are curved 177 at their lower ends to cam the braces outward when they are lowered. The cushion is latched to cross member 175 of the seat brace 159 to which it is attached and projects outward from the side of the motorscooter when the motorscooter is collapsed.

When the rider sits on the motorscooter, his feet push on the footrests 101, 103 and help the locking means 51 maintain the forward and rear frame members 21, 23 in extended relation.

A carrying handle 179 extends between two of the rear frame cross bolts 29 for carrying the motorscooter, and the cushion 155 rides against the leg of the person carrying the motorscooter preventing the wheels or projecting framework from interfering with his leg while he walks.

A carrying case 181 (FIGURE 14) has been designed which permits the collapsed motorscooter to be simply set in the base portion 183 thereof and has two sides 185 which can be folded up and secured together at their upper ends leaving the carrying handle 179 extending through the top of the case. The base portion 183 of the case catches any oil drippings or dirt which might be dislodged from the motorscooter. Alternatively a simple hood, rigid or pliable, could be dropped over the top of the scooter with the handle projecting through for carrying.

When the motorscooter is collapsed (FIGURES 5, 6, and 7), the forward and rear frame members 21, 23 are telescoped with the forward frame member disposed below the rear frame member in vertical alignment therewith. The sliding engagement surface 43 of the forward frame member engages the rear frame member near the rear end thereof above the rear wheel of the motorscooter and between the rear wheel supporting members. The front wheel 67 of the motorscooter and the front wheel supporting frame 63 are telescoped to a position closely adjacent the motor 115 and the power transmission means 117, which are supported forward of the rear wheel supporting frame members 107, 109. The handlebars 75 are journalled 77 at the upper front ends of the front wheel supporting frames 63, 65 and are disposed in a horizontal orientation alongside the forward and rear frame members and outside of the rear wheel supporting fiame 105. The handlebars and the front wheel supporting frame are locked into position by a guide pin 89 positioned on the forward frame member and engaging the cross member 93 of the handlebars. One brace 159 of the rear seat 153 depends from the rear frame member and the cushion 155 itself is secured in a vertical orientation to the seat brace. The other seat brace 161 depends from the other side 167 of the rear frame member alongside the motor and rear wheel as does the seat.

The concept of the invention also includes the method of collapsing the motorscooter which comprises: Rotating the handlebars about their pivot on the front wheel supporting frame and arranging them in a horizontal relationship on both sides of the forward frame member (FIG- URE 3); engaging the handlebars with a guide means on the forward frame member; horizontally sliding the forward frame member under the rear frame member (FIG- URE 4); and folding the seat supporting brackets outside and over the handlebars and alongside the rear wheel supporting frame; and securing the seat cushion in a vertical orientation to the seat bracket that it is connected with (FIGURES 5, 6, and 7).

It will be apparent from the foregoing description of the invention, in its preferred form, that it will fulfill all the objects attributable thereto.

I claim:

1. A collapsible motorscooter comprising a telescoping frame having a forward member slidably engaged for horizontal reciprocation with a rear member,

a front wheel supporting frame having a wheel journalled at the lower end thereof, said front wheel supporting frame journalled to the front end of said forward member for rotation on a substantially vertical but rearwardly canted axis,

a pair of handlebars having a pair of vertical extensions and a pair of handgrips extending outwardly from the upper ends thereof, said handlebars secured at their lower ends to said front wheel supporting frame and journalled to fold into a horizontal position substantially rearward of said forward wheel and on both sides of said telescoping frame,

latching means for supporting said handlebars in an upright position,

a pair of folding footrests secured to the lower ends of said handlebars,

a rear wheel supporting frame including two inverted A-frame members secured to both sides of said rear frame member and having a rear drive wheel journalled between the apexes of said A-frame members,

a motor and power transmission means supported by a bracket extending forward from said A-frame members and below said rear member,

brake means and motor throttle control means operable from said handlebar handgrips, and

a folding seat secured to said A-frame member and arranged to fold alongside said motor and rear wheel.

2. The collapsible motorscooter of claim 1 wherein said rear frame member includes a channel along the lower surface thereof formed by opposing projecting flanges extending from the lower edges of said rear frame member, and

said forward frame member includes a formed surface at the rear end thereof having a pair of horizontally disposed parallel slots on opposite sides of said surface engaging said fianges in sliding relation to permit .said forward member to reciprocate with respect to said rear member for collapsing said motorscooter.

3. The collapsible motorscooter of claim 1 wherein said folding seat has a platform and cushion and two seat braces pivoted from opposite sides from said rearward frame member to engage with said platform and said cushion to support a rider, when disengaged from said platform and cushion, said seat braces rotate about their junction with said rear frame member and fold to a depending attitude downward from said rear frame member outside of said handlebars and with said cushion rotated adjacent and projecting outward from the side of the motorscooter.

4. The collapsible motorscooter of claim 1 wherein said front wheel supporting frame member includes a pair of frames having said handlebars pivoted from the forward upper ends thereof.

5. The collapsible motorscooter of claim 1 wherein said brake means includes a V-belt pulley on a drive shaft forming a part of the power transmission means, said V-belt pulley being disposed adjacent a chain drive sprocket engaging a sprocket chain driving said rear drive wheel with positive engagement,

a section of V-belt encircling a portion of the circumference of said V-belt pulley and having one end of said belt anchored to a portion of the frame of said motorscooter and the other end activated by a pull cable controlled from one of said handlebar handgrips.

6. The motorscooter of claim 1 wherein said forward frame member includes a guide means for engaging said handlebars when folded horizontally for guiding said handlebars alongside the rear frame member when telescoping said motorscooter to a collapsed condition.

7. The motorscooter of claim 1 wherein said footrests are arranged to fold upward alongside said handlebars when said handlebars are secured in an upright position.

8. The motorscooter of claim 1 including a fiberglass gas tank secured to one of said rear A-frame members and having a tail light molded into the outer surface thereof with a clear vertical strip as a gas gauge.

9. A collapsible motorscooter comprising a telescoping frame having a forward member slidably engaged for horizontal reciprocation with a rear memher, said rear frame member including a channel along the lower surface thereof formed by opposing projecting flanges extending from the lower edges from said rear frame member, said forward frame member including a formed surface at the rear end thereof having a pair of horizontally disposed parallel slots on opposite sides of said formed surface engaging said flanges of said rear frame member,

a front wheel supporting frame including a pair of interconnected frames having a wheel journalled therebetween at the lower end thereof, said front wheel supporting frame journalled to the front end of said forward member for rotation on a substantially vertical but rearwardly canted axis,

a pair of handlebars having a pair of vertical extensions and a pair of handgrips extending outwardly from the upper ends thereof, said handlebars journalled near their lower ends to the upper front ends of said front wheel supporting frames and journalled to fold into a horizontal position substantially rearward from said front wheel and on both sides of said telescoping frame,

latching means integral to said front wheel supporting frame for supporting said handlebars in an upright position,

a pair of folding foot rests secured to the lower end of said handlebars and arranged to fold upward alongside said handlebars when said handlebars are secured in an upright position.

a rear wheel supporting frame including two inverted A-frame members secured to both sides of said rear frame member and having a rear drive wheel journalled between the apexes of said A-frame members,

a motor and power transmission means supported by a 5 bracket extending forward from said A-frame members and below said rear member, said power transmission means including a chain sprocket secured to a power output shaft, a V-belt sprocket secured to said shaft adjacent said chain sprocket, and a drive chain interconnected with said rear drive wheel with a positive engagement,

brake means including a section of V-belt circling a. portion of the circumference of said V-belt pulley and having one end of said belt anchored to a portion of the frame of said motorscooter and the other end activated by a pull cable controlled from one of said handlebar handgrips,

motor throttle control means operable from said handlebar handgrips, and

a folding seat including a platform and cushion and two seat braces pivoted from opposite sides of said rearward frame member to engage with said platform and cushion to support a rider, said seat braces being rotatable on their junctions with said rear frame member when disengaged from said platform and cushion to fold in a depending attitude downward from said rear frame member and outside of said handlebars with said cushion projecting outward from the sides of said motorscooter.

10. The collapsible motorscooter comprising, when collapsed,

a telescoping frame having forward and rear frame members approximately of equal length, said forward frame member disposed below said rear frame mem her in vertical alignment therewith and slidably engaging said rear frame member near the rear end thereof,

a rear wheel supporting frame secured to said rear frame member and having a rear wheel journalled therein,

a motor and power transmission means secured to the forward side of said rear wheel supporting frame and disposed below and adjacent said forward frame member,

a front wheel supporting frame having a wheel journalled therein secured to the front end of the forward frame member and arranged for rotation on a substantially vertical but rearwardly canted axis, said front wheel disposed closely adjacent said motor and power transmission means,

a pair of handlebars journalled at said front wheel supporting frame and disposed in horizontal orientation alongside said forward and rear frame members and outside of said rear wheel supporting frame,

a folding seat having a pair of support members journalled at their lower end on each side of said rear frame member and rotated in a depending attitude from said rear frame member outside said handlebars and said rear wheel supporting frame and having a cushion secured to one of said frames.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,292,947 12/ 196 6 Musichuk 280-287 FOREIGN PATENTS 611,627 11/ 1948 Great Britain. 916,833 8/1946 France. 1,05 8,560 11/1953 France. 1,109,287 9/ 1955 France.

A. HARRY LEVY, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

